Dedicated to my poor, long suffering dh, who doesn't manage to feature on much of my work... probably because he's not a fan of being photographed! :)

The canvas has been in my stash for ages, just waiting patiently for any kind of attention and this idea has been rattling around in my head for a few weeks now, so with a fresh box of Dusty goodies that arrived last week, I just had to start playing.

I started off with some dampened, crumpled tissue paper on the base and basically just kept adding more and more paint and various off cuts from corrugated card to canvas, patterned paper, bits and pieces of script and text, tape.... even a clump of frayed strands of canvas.

Dusty Attic products used:

(from the new January 2012 release)

Compass Rose DA0686

Mini Heart Buttons DA0682

(from previous releases)

Mini Cogs DA0689

Cogs Frames Set DA0327

The chippy pieces were primed with gesso, stippled with texture paste in parts, heat embossed using a teal and aqua embossing powder, spritzed here and there with 'saphire' and 'blue skies' glimmermist and gold paint, then splashed with some 'mermaid' glimmerglam, which I also allowed to trickle down the canvas.

Many of the little metals trinkets, crocheted flower, ribbon and fine twine are from Craft Queen, and of course there is a bucket load of glimmermist, glimmerglam and even gold paint that was watered down and spritzed. It also got a light dry brushed gesso treatment in parts and then finished off with some gesso stamping. There really wasn't any rhyme or reason to it all.... I just kept gluing, painting, spraying and splashing until I was happy with it! Can ya tell? lol

Anyway.... i just totally adored the process and it certainly won't be my last one!

Oh, and I just thought I'd share some random things from my weekend that made my smile.....

For the texture on the chippies, I first stippled them with texture paste using a large, stiff brush, sprayed with some 'granite' glimmermist and allowed to dry. I then used a dry brush technique with a little gesso to pick up and highlight just the peaks of the texture paste detail. It gave the finished product a real cracked leather kind of appeal that I just love. I also gave the blooms a little spritz with 'gold' glimmermist to match the palette. And yep, I know I spelt the title wrong on the layout... grrrr! : p

Ok, now for the big news....

The Color Room is having their first ever DT CALL!!!!

If you want to create with freedom and passion, while exploring your love of color and pushing the limits of your creative boundries, this is an opportunity you will love. This role gives you the opportunity to use the supplies you have been hoarding and are desperate to use, or scraps and products you love- just for fun…..then this is the team for you.

Requirements is just one project per month, leaving you plenty of time for your other commitments.

If you are interested we need to see your skills.

Show us how you can create using colour as a basis.

Create 2 LO’s based on a previous Color Room palettes of your choosing so we can see how you interpret a palette. Please include the palette you used for inspiration along with the LO when submitting.

You must include 1 project based on a sketch from one of the chosen palettes….projects may be pages (paper or digital), cards, mixed media, or OTP….

Please also send us your 2 favourite Projects, these are not restricted to CR palettes, just your 2 favourites that best display your talents and what you can offer the Color Room as a designer.

Share with us a link to any of your online galleries as well as your blog.

Please outline any experience you may have with technique tutorials (this is not essential to the role but will be looked on preferably)

So....start thinking about applying!!!! AND spread the word!!!!

Send your entries to lydell@exemail.com.au and make your images no more than 750px and under 250k, for easy emailing.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The lovely Nicole at Craft Queen has a new ribbon club kit available for May and gave me the opportunity to play with them! woohoo..... :)

Here are a few things I put together...

With the layouts I tried to think a little outside the square and avoid the normal bows and pleats. The following layout features lots of torn ribbon (which tore and frayed just beautifully) used as a whimsical frame around the circular photos.

{so loved}

The second layout features lots of strips of ribbon, used to accentuate the paneled effect made by the paper strip mat I created for my photo. A little steampunk influence here too.... and of course the Dusty Attic 'mini cogs' and 'devine divas' just go hand in hand with steampunk. I really enjoyed getting my hands dirty with this one, so don't think you can't do ribbons and grunge on the same page. It is loaded with ink, embossing powders and metallic paints!! :)

{my guy}

The Bo Bunny 'Country Garden' and 'Weekend Market' papers go so beautifully with the kit.

On the family front, there is so much going on in our household with sports, trips away, school, after school activities, shopping expeditions and social goings on I am struggling a little to keep my head above water. Sometimes I think my stolen moments used to both create and workout are the only things keeping me sane right now. lol

On the latter, I am really enjoying my improved level of health and fitness and am even incorporating Personal Trainer sessions into my program now at the gym. With running, weight training and the benefit of a PT, there is just no looking back for me. I've reached my goal and will add a post soon dedicated to just that. Watch this space! :))

Thanks so much for popping in for a peek. I do apologise for not doing much in the way of blog hopping lately.... time just has not permitted any online indulgences, sadly. I hope to do a big catch up this weekend.... :)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

I've been just busting to crack my A Lil' Somethin' goodies open and didn't I have fun! I've co-ordinated a few pieces on the one layout and not only do they look great together, but it also amazed me how they integrate so seamlessly with other products and ranges too. I've clustered the little Mist Me dress form (that I left plain), a fabulous calico flower and a tonne of pink cardstock flowers.... until I could cluster no more! :) A cute crocheted doily features in the bottom right corner too.

{So Kissable}

The lovely Susan and Wendy are having a SALE tonight, so make sure you pop in and grab some goodies... :)

I have been busy creating and planning and coping with family day to day happenings... not to mention the unexpected in-laws visit that resulted in a car accident en-route to us! The result has been chaos in what was already a pretty chaotic existence. All is well and back to normal now, but creatively, I have nothing to show for all my recent work, but suffice to say.... I can't wait for the Papercraft Expo in Brissy next month!!! :)) I am so looking forward to catching up with all the gorgeous gals that contribute to this industry in so many ways. Hope to see you there!!